Vikings battling MSFC over 'dome lease

The Vikings believe their lease on the Metrodome expires at the end of the season. The Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission says last December's roof collapse that caused the Vikings to play a home game in Detroit, legally extends the lease through 2012.

The Vikings believe their lease on the Metrodome expires at the end of the season. The Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission says last December's roof collapse that caused the Vikings to play a home game in Detroit, legally extends the lease through 2012.

Vikings Vice President of Stadium Development Lester Bagley says the team’s lease with the Metrodome legally expires at the end of the season. Ted Mondale, head of the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission, says that's not the case.

With the Metrodome lease expiring at the end of the season, the Vikings have agreed to meet with Minneapolis officials to discuss building a stadium in the city. The Vikings, although willing to talk, remain dedicated to building in Ramsey County.

On NBC's Football Night in America, sports writer Peter King reported the Vikings and Minnesota officials are close to a new stadium deal. According to NBC Sports, it's not a matter of "if," but "when." The Vikings have called Minnesota home since their NFL debut in 1961, but the Metrodome lease expires after the 2011 season. The report did not state whether the new stadium would be in Arden Hills or Minneapolis.

The Minnesota Vikings have cited an urgent need in their push for a new stadium deal, noting their expiring stadium lease. But language in the lease agreement may legally bind the Vikings to play one more year at the Metrodome.

The Minnesota Vikings say they have played their last game in the Metrodome under the current 30-year-old lease. It officially expires February 1. The team now considers itself homeless without legislation to help fund a new stadium. Lawmakers begin the 2012 legislative session on January 24. The Vikings (3-13) lost the season finale to the Bears, 17-13, matching the worst record in franchise history first set in 1984.

Rep. Morrie Lanning of Moorhead knows finding a deal and keeping the Vikings franchise in Minnesota will be challenging in 2012. The Vikings' Metrodome lease officially ends in February. The team could leave Minnesota if a deal is not reached. The Bemidji Pioneer reports Gov. Mark Dayton fears Republican legislative leaders want to avoid the issue until 2013.

The Star Tribune reports Vikings vice president Lester Bagley and Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission chairman Ted Mondale are looking at a site southeast of the Metrodome. Bagley told the newspaper "it would be ideal to build a stadium next door and play in the Dome." If the team plays at the University of Minnesota's TCF Bank stadium, it could cost an estimated $48 million for up to three seasons.